We all have a microphone in our pocket, making it easier than ever to record on the go! However, you've probably heard a mobile recording that doesn't sound very good. If you're serious about audio recording and reproduction, it's important to have the right tools.

There are countless microphones! Types, brands, patterns, and much more. In this guide, we'll give you an overview of what to look for when you need a good microphone for your podcast, live performance, home studio, or whatever else.

Introduction

To get the best sound in your recording, it's super important to know what different microphones are good for. Trying to screw in a screw with a hammer leads to a lot of frustration over why the result isn't as desired. To be properly equipped, let's start with a quick overview of some of the terms you encounter when shopping for microphones. Fortunately, you don't need to remember them all - just learn the most important ones!

We'll start by talking about microphone types - if you understand what a condenser microphone and a dynamic microphone are good for, you can solve a lot of tasks! When we talk about types, we'll also mention recording characteristics. The characteristic of a microphone tells you in what pattern the microphone picks up sound. It could be at a long distance, 360 degrees, or in a narrow area right in front of the microphone - and the most common ones are cardioid and supercardioid characteristics.

Types of Microphones

Dynamic or Condenser Microphone?

These are the most widespread types of microphones - and they are very different! In this section, we'll work with the practical differences; for the more technical, we'll delve deeper into the technology behind it at the end of the article.
A very simplified explanation of the difference is that a dynamic microphone picks up sound close to it - things further away quickly become unclear and thin in sound. They are good for close vocal sound. Think radio voice and singing for a live concert. A condenser, on the other hand, picks up much more sound from the room. This is both good and bad because sometimes there are things in the background that you don't want to be picked up (such as keyboard clicks, a drum set on stage, or the room sound from a space with a lot of reverberation).

Additionally, there is a significant difference in the frequency spectrum that the two types of microphones pick up. That is, the low and high frequencies they can pick up - a microphone with a narrower frequency spectrum cannot reproduce, for example, the deepest bass from a kick drum or some of the overtones that give a vocal air and headroom - but it's not always necessary! Most dynamic microphones primarily pick up sound between 50Hz and 15,000Hz (but it's not just a clean cutoff!), while condensers pick up all the way up to 20,000Hz. These are just numbers, of course, but in practice, it means that a condenser microphone provides much more 'air' in the high tones - as long as you don't get unwanted background noise. However, there are also dynamic microphones that pick up to 20kHz - the most popular being the Shure SM7B, which you might have come across - and the extended frequency spectrum is actually one of the reasons it's so popular.
 

On Stage and in the Studio

Dynamic microphones have always been popular on live stages. They are direct and primarily pick up sound right in front of the microphone, which is incredibly important on a stage with a lot of noise. However, dynamic microphones are also used in music studios both as instrument microphones and vocal microphones. We've mentioned the classic Shure SM7B, but there are more, such as Shure SM57, Sennheiser MD441 and MH421, Electro-Voice RE20, and many others.

In radio and podcast studios, dynamic microphones are also the most common. From DR to Joe Rogan, they use SM7B, and the sound of a 'radio voice' is typically associated with the close sound a dynamic microphone gives right in front of the mouth. Here, a good windscreen is important. SM7B has a built-in windscreen, but if you use a dynamic microphone originally designed for live sound, you'll benefit greatly from investing in a cheap foam windscreen for the microphone. That way, you can get closer without getting 'pop sounds' - meaning a slight pop in the sound because the air from your voice hits the microphone's diaphragm (which picks up the sound).

Conversely, condenser microphones are mostly used in music studios, but they are also used in live concerts! They are most commonly used as overheads for drum kits, but many vocalists also use special handheld condenser microphones to get that lush studio sound on stage. Popular models include Shure KSM9 and DPA d:facto.

Lavalier or Headset?

Lavalier microphones/lapel microphones and headsets aren't exactly microphone types - it's more a way of mounting small microphones so they can be used hands-free or discreetly on clothing. They are usually small condensers with omni characteristics, meaning they pick up sound in all directions. They are often used with a wireless system so you can move freely around a stage or TV set.

Headsets are very common for speakers or presentations in live situations. You don't have to worry about where you stand, but at the same time, it can be difficult to achieve the close speech sound as with a dynamic handheld microphone.
A lavalier - also called a lapel microphone - is most commonly used for video recording, where you often want a very discreet microphone. Since they are placed further away from the mouth than with a headset, they are not particularly good for live use. You will easily get feedback - a high-pitched tone that occurs when the microphone picks up the amplified sound to a degree where the sound starts to loop. Feedback is not a problem if you're recording video because you're not reproducing the sound in a speaker in the room - it just needs to be recorded and post-processed.
 

USB Microphones - Directly into the Computer

In recent years, USB microphones have become very popular. A USB microphone is either a dynamic or condenser microphone but with a small audio interface built-in, so you can plug it directly into your computer without needing an external sound card.
It's incredibly smart and easy if you only need a single microphone. Many USB microphones also have a headphone output so you can monitor the sound from the microphone as well as hear the sound from the computer. 

The big limitation to remember before choosing a USB microphone is that you can ONLY use one at a time. You cannot connect two USB microphones to your computer or, for example, one USB microphone and an external sound card. This is because a computer can only handle a single external audio interface at a time. So if you know that you eventually want to connect two microphones, USB microphones are not right for you - it's much better to use an external sound card and connect a regular microphone to it.
 

Time for Wireless?

Wireless microphones are a bit of a separate chapter, and we won't delve into frequencies, synchronization, etc., in this article. Again, you can get wireless systems with both dynamic and condenser microphone capsules, and on the more expensive models, you can also replace the microphone part from the wireless unit. An important factor to consider is whether it's an analog or digital system. Digital systems often transmit in the 2.4 GHz band (the same as WIFI). This means they are super easy to set up, but it can also pose challenges with dropouts if there's a lot happening in the 2.4 GHz band where you're using the microphone.

Analog systems are characterized by having the frequency band lying within a range below 1000Hz - there's a lot to write about frequencies, which we'll skip here, but overall, there are two types of analog systems - the cheaper ones are purely analog, while the more expensive ones are digitally controlled analog systems - it can be a bit tricky to keep track of! The advantage of the digitally controlled ones is that they are more stable and easier to work with. The easy way to recognize them is that there's often a 'D' sneaked into the name, such as Shure SLXD and Sennheiser EW-D.

There are also many good wireless systems for video and streaming. These are almost all digital (2.4 GHz) and designed to be as easy to use as possible. Many are designed for use with lapel microphones or headsets, but there are many options available. 
 

Video and Smartphone Microphones

There has never been as much video production as there is now - and if you've seen a video with poor audio, you know how important it is to have good video microphones! As mentioned above, there are many good wireless solutions that are easy to use and relatively inexpensive.

Many can also be used with both your camera with a microphone input or with a smartphone - other models are specifically made for a purpose - such as Lightning connector for iPhone or USB-C for Android. When assembling your setup, it's super important to find things that fit the device you're recording on - most things can be done, but sometimes it's necessary to use an adapter or two!
 

Microphone Characteristics - also called Polar Patterns

Polar patterns in a microphone tell something about how sound is picked up from different directions. There are several different characteristics that microphones can have, and each of these has its own applications. We guide you through the most commonly used types here.

Cardioid Polar Pattern

The cardioid polar pattern is the most common. Microphones with a cardioid polar pattern pick up most sound from the front of the microphone while reducing sound from the rear and sides.

This allows you to focus on the sound from an audio source, such as a singer or a musical instrument, while minimizing background noise. Microphone polar patterns are displayed in a diagram where you look down on the pattern from above, imagining the microphone is in the center and picking up sound forward.

 
Supercardioid Polar Pattern

A microphone with a supercardioid polar pattern is a narrower version of the cardioid. This means that it picks up sound in front of the microphone, but in an even narrower angle. As you can see from the diagram, it also means that unlike a microphone with a cardioid polar pattern, it also picks up a small amount of sound directly behind the microphone. This is important to remember, for example, if placing stage monitors for a singer.

If the microphone has a supercardioid polar pattern (e.g., a Shure BETA58A), it will pick up a small amount of sound behind the microphone, so in this case, it can minimize feedback if the singer has two monitors placed diagonally in front of them on each side.

If the singer is using a microphone with a cardioid polar pattern (e.g., a Shure SM58), the microphone picks up no sound backward but slightly more to the sides - so in that situation, a single monitor directly in front of the singer can help minimize feedback.

 
Hypercardioid Polar Pattern (hypercardioid)

Hypercardioid microphones are the extreme version of the cardioid shape. There aren't many of them - one of the most popular ones is Shure KSM9HS. As you can see from the diagram, it picks up very narrowly in front but also wider behind than supercardioid.

Hypercardioids are most commonly used on condenser microphones, where it's important to filter out as much background noise as possible. KSM9HS can actually also be set to the slightly less common subcardioid polar pattern - it's slightly wider than the normal cardioid polar pattern.

Omni-directional Polar Pattern (omnidirectional)

A microphone with an omnidirectional polar pattern picks up sound from all directions, therefore registering as much sound from the front and back as from the sides. This type of microphone is ideal for recording sound in rooms with good acoustics and for recording group conversations or musical performances.

Shotgun Microphone

A shotgun microphone has a very narrow and long directional pickup pattern, designed to capture sound from a specific source at a distance, such as an actor in a film shoot. This type of microphone can be highly directional and is often used in environments with high background noise as it can filter out unwanted sound.
 
 
Bi-directional (Figure-Eight)

A microphone with a bi-directional polar pattern picks up equal amounts of sound from the front and back but reduces sound from the sides.
Some microphones have only one pickup pattern, but there are also many microphones where you can switch the polar pattern. This usually applies to condenser microphones, and you can look for the term "polar pattern" in the specifications. 

If you have a microphone with multiple pickup patterns - or two microphones with different patterns - it can be a great exercise to experiment with a sound source and see what changing the patterns does to the sound.

Which Microphone Should I Choose?

Microphones for Streaming

A good microphone for streaming should have clear and natural voice reproduction and minimize unwanted background noise, such as keyboard and mouse clicks and noise from fans, for example.

There are several types of microphones that can be suitable for streaming, including USB microphones and dynamic microphones. USB microphones are a popular solution for streaming, as they are easy to use - however, as mentioned earlier, you can only use one USB microphone at a time.

Some popular choices for streaming microphones include Blue Yeti (USB, condenser), Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ (USB, condenser), RØDE NT-USB (USB, condenser), Samson q2u (USB/analog, dynamic), and Shure SM7B and MV7 (dynamic, analog and USB/analog respectively). These microphones offer high sound quality and are among the most popular among streamers worldwide.

Also, remember to consider whether you need accessories such as a microphone stand or a pop filter to get the best recording.
 

Microphones for vocal recording

Vocal recording is one of the biggest topics and something you can work with throughout your life. You can achieve fantastic results with both dynamic and condenser microphones. A good rule of thumb is that if you don't have a room with good acoustics, a dynamic microphone is much easier to work with as it doesn't pick up as much sound as a condenser microphone. However, there is a reason why condenser microphones are most widespread in professional vocal studios - and if your room sounds reasonable, you can make fantastic vocal recordings with a condenser microphone.

Remember to get the right accessories - a good stand to support the microphone and a pop filter are always good to have in the studio!
Some popular vocal microphones include Shure SM7B, Audio-Technica AT2020, RØDE NT1-A, AKG C214, and sE Electronics X1A.
 

Mikrofoner til optagelse af musikinstrumenter

When choosing a microphone for recording musical instruments, the choice largely depends on the type of instrument and the desired sound. There are many different types of microphones that can be used for recording musical instruments, and the choice largely depends on your personal preferences and budget.

Here are some examples of microphones that can be used to record different musical instruments:

• Acoustic Guitar: For acoustic guitar, condenser microphones are most popular - often a good pencil microphone. However, you can also get good results with a dynamic microphone, especially if you're going for a more percussive guitar sound. Popular microphones for acoustic guitar include Shure SM81, sE Electronics sE8, Audio-Technica AT4053b, and AKG C414.

• Electric Guitar: In the studio, both dynamic and condenser microphones can be used in front of the guitar amplifier - but having said that, dynamic microphones are most commonly used. Popular microphones for electric guitar include Shure SM57 and SM7B, Sennheiser e609 and MD441, and AKG C214.

• Bass: A dynamic microphone can provide a rich and well-balanced sound. Popular microphones for bass include AKG D112 and Electro-Voice RE20.

• Drums: A combination of dynamic and condenser microphones can be used to record different parts of the drum kit, including overheads, kick drum, snare drum, and toms. There are MANY good drum microphones out there - a small selection includes Shure SM57, SM7B, Sennheiser e604/e904, Sennheiser MD441, MD421 and MKH8050, AKG C214, C414, RØDE NT1-A, sE Electronics sE8 - and many more!
   

Conclusion

Microphones are an important tool in audio recording, and there is a wide range of microphone types, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right microphone depends on the purpose of the recording, and it is important to choose a microphone that suits the desired sound and the budget available.

When choosing a microphone, it is also important to consider microphone placement and techniques to achieve the best possible sound. Whether recording vocals, musical instruments, performing live, streaming, or podcasting, the choice of the right microphone has a significant impact on the sound!

We hope you have been well equipped to choose the right microphone for your purpose. Here at SoundStoreXL, you will always find a wide range of microphones from the industry's leading brands. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact our experts, whether it's for studio, theater, video production, live use, or other purposes.
 

BONUS - The Nerdy Section!

Here's a little bonus section to conclude, where we delve into the more technical aspects of the various microphone types.

Dynamic Microphones

A dynamic microphone basically consists of a diaphragm, a coil, and a magnet. The diaphragm is typically made of a thin piece of metal, and when sound waves hit the diaphragm, it vibrates in sync with the sound. The coil is wound around the diaphragm and is connected to a circuit. When the diaphragm vibrates, the coil also moves, creating an electrical current in the circuit.

The electrical current generated by the microphone corresponds to the sound pressure hitting the diaphragm and creates an electrical signal. This electrical signal can then be amplified and recorded on a device such as a mixer or a recorder.
Dynamic microphones are known for being durable and resistant to shocks and drops, making them popular among live musicians and for recording instruments where high sound levels may occur. They also have the advantage of not requiring an external power source or battery, as they solely use electromagnetic technology to generate the current.

Due to their design and electromagnetic technology, dynamic microphones are also less sensitive to high frequencies and typically have a more limited frequency response compared to other types of microphones such as condenser microphones. Nevertheless, dynamic microphones are still very popular in a wide range of setups, as they are known to deliver reliable and durable performance for many years.
 

Condenser Microphones

Condenser microphones are a type of microphone that uses a capacitor to convert sound waves into an electrical signal. They are known for being highly sensitive and precise, making them suitable for recording sounds with high detail and low noise levels.
 
A condenser microphone typically consists of a thin diaphragm, a backplate, and an electret, which acts as one side of a capacitor. When sound waves hit the diaphragm, it moves back and forth in sync with the sound. This changes the distance between the diaphragm and the backplate, and since the capacitor is sensitive to these vibrations, the distance between the electret and the backplate changes, creating an electrical signal that corresponds to the sound waves, such as those produced by the voice.

To amplify and record the electrical signal created, condenser microphones require an external power source, usually in the form of a battery or a phantom power amplifier, which provides a constant power to the microphone. This means that condenser microphones are more sensitive than dynamic microphones and have a wider frequency response. Phantom power is often found in many audio interfaces or mixers and can be activated with the press of a button, making it easy to connect to.
 
Condenser microphones come in various sizes and shapes, including large-diaphragm microphones, which are designed for recording vocals and acoustic instruments, and small-diaphragm microphones, which are better for capturing high frequencies such as cymbals and acoustic guitars.
 
Condenser microphones are often used in sound studios and for recording music because they provide a more detailed sound reproduction than dynamic microphones. They are also popular for podcasts, live streaming, and video production, as they can capture voices and sounds with great accuracy and clarity.

Ribbon Microphones

Ribbon microphones are a type of microphone that uses electromagnetic technology to convert sound waves into an electrical signal. They are known for their warm and natural sound, and they are suitable for recording vocals, guitar amplifiers, and other sound sources that require a natural and organic sound.
 
A ribbon microphone typically consists of a thin metal strip placed between two magnets. When sound waves hit the metal strip, it vibrates in sync with the sound. This vibration creates an electrical current in the metal strip that can be amplified and recorded on a device.
 
Ribbon microphones are known for their distinctive sound, which is due to their design and electromagnetic technology. Because ribbon microphones are very sensitive to sound moving in a horizontal direction, they tend to have a natural high-pass filtering that removes low-frequency noise and room reverberation. This helps give ribbon microphones their warm and natural sound, which is often preferred for vocal recordings and guitar amplifiers.
 
Ribbon microphones typically require higher gain than other types of microphones, making them more sensitive to noise and interference. They are also more susceptible to shock and vibration and often require careful handling and storage.
 
Ribbon microphones are still popular among sound engineers and musicians because of their warm and natural sound. They are often used in sound studios and for recording music where an organic and natural sound is desired. They are also popular in radio and podcast production as they can provide a soft and warm sound that is pleasing to the listener.